Internet Connections: Benefits & Barriers to Its Current Theoretical Potential

Anne Nicole Cordero Shekinah Kitta Delgado

Introduction
$ In todays information technology generation we cant overlook its relationship to rural development. $ Rural areas have developed through time and so as the institutions in it. $ Rural schools have been key players in maintaining commonality in the community, a principal area of public communication and community reproduction, and mostly a major source of employers in rural areas (Alter et. al., 2006).

Introduction
$ Rural health care providers portray a significant part in maintaining rural communities sustainable for they offer foundations for work and economic sustainability (Zager, 2012). $ Rural secondary schools and rural health care providers are coping in todays information generation by integrating broadband internet connection to their systems.

Introduction
$ Rural secondary schools incorporate computer education to their curriculum and so as the use of broadband internet connection in order to compete with their urban counterpart. $ Rural health care providers are starting to use online based programs to hasten the processes in health care clinics and for easy access to medical record by medical personnel.

Research Problem
$ To describe the current status of internet connections in rural schools and health care providers in Miagao, Iloilo. $ To identify the benefits of internet connection in rural health care providers and schools. $ To identify the barriers that may limit its current theoretical potential.

Method
$ Letters to conduct an interview were forwarded to Miagao National High School (MNHS), Miagao Rural Health Clinic, and UPV Infirmary. $ 2 teachers were interviewed in MNHS, 1 nurse and 1 consultant were interviewed in the Rural Health Clinic, and the administrator was interviewed in UPV Infirmary. $ An interview guide was used for the conduct of the study. $ The whole session was recorded so that it can be transcribed later on and it lasted for 20-40min each.

Method
$ The data were analyzed based on the accounts given by the respondents. $ The voice-recorded data was first transcribed and was checked and rechecked for a few times to thoroughly understand the whole interview and to get the whole picture. $ Similar responses from the respondents will also be highlighted by the researcher. $ The responses will be analyzed both individually and as a group.

Interview Guide
$ $ $ $ How many computers do you currently have? What is the student-computer ratio?** Does your library have computers? Does it have internet?** Do you have access to the internet? What type of connection? What is the speed? $ Are there any restrictions as to how you will use the computer/internet? $ Are the computers accessible to all? $ Is the internet accessible to all?

Interview Guide
$ $ $ $ $ $ How are the computers and internet being utilized? For what purposes? What programs do you usually use? How often do you utilize the computer? The internet? What do you primarily use the web for? How many hours per week do you use the computer for your job? Does the institution you work for utilize the web effectively? Why or why not?

Interview Guide
$ When did you start utilizing the internet? The programs in the computer that you are using now? $ What do you think are the benefits of having computers that have internet connection? Disadvantages? $ Are there other subjects that utilize the computers/internet/multimedia?** $ Is there anything else you would like to add about your usage of computers/internet?

Results
Miagao National High School
$ 49 in total. 9 complete sets, others are only attached to a host computer $ 1:1 or 1:2 depending on the section $ No, and no. Disorganized, unmaintained library. Classes are being held there. $ Yes. Wifi. 512 kbps. $ No restrictions. $ Yes. Computers as long as it is available. Internet password (teachers mostly)

Results
Miagao National High School
$ Hands on for third year and fourth year students, ATM is accessible online for staff $ MS Office, Multimedia (film showing, etc.), internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, etc.) $ Everyday 5 times a week for classes $ Google, Facebook & YouTube $ 7-8 hrs per day; 35-40hrs per week $ None. Computer subject only because theres only 1 computer room and its always booked.

Results
Miagao Rural Health Clinic
$ 5: 2 laptops, 3 desktops, 4 of them are running $ Yes. LAN. And Wifi, sponsored by Smart. 1 Mbps $ None. It would depend on the person. If youve got work to do, then its just proper that you focus on it. $ Yes. Not all are computer literate though so the government had the other staffs (midwives, nurses, consultants) trained. $ Yes. They will just need to ask for the password and theyre good to go.

Results
Miagao Rural Health Clinic
$ $ $ $ $ Online data banking: medical records, referrals Everyday during working days Online data banking, e-mailing, canvas prices of supplies Approx. 50hours per week Yes. A username and password is assigned in order to access the medical records in the database. Most data are internet based $ Around December or January 2011 $ Easy communication, easy referral system, paperless information $ Hacking; gaining access to confidential information

Results
UPV Infirmary
$ $ $ $ $ $ 2 computers: 1 online issuance of receipts, 1 processing documents Yes. Wifi. No restrictions. Not many use the computer for personal purposes. Yes. But only [the admin] and one staff usually uses the computer The doctors bring their own laptops to access the internet Online issuance of receipts, e-mailing reports

Results
UPV Infirmary
$ 35-42 hours per week; no transactions at night $ Yes. Maximum usage. Every day, the cash receipt record are generated. Generate another set of data at the end of the month. Internet is needed for these (online program). Report of collection & deposit. Prepare reports for accounting office and e-mail. $ 2008 internet; 2011 online issuance of receipts $ MS Office, E-mail $ Hassle-free transactions, lessens work, faster work, lesser burden, easier communication

Results
UPV Infirmary
$ Temptation (Facebook during working hours), slows down employee $ Rationing of bandwidth makes it difficult to effectively use the internet sometimes, Docu-tracking is utilized. Low budget (P168,000/month), includes all expenses

Conclusion
$ Currently, internet communications are accessible in rural areas, specifically in rural schools and rural health care providers. $ In schools, it is integrated into their curriculum. $ In rural health care providers, it is incorporated in their systems online data banking, online record keeping, online issuance of receipts.

Conclusion
$ Benefits:
$ Hassle-free transactions $ Less work $ Not time consuming/faster work $ Less burden $ Easy communication $ Literacy of those using $ Resources (financial, material, personnel) $ Affordability

$ Barriers:
$ Bandwidth (rationing)